Staffordshire Police are investigating anti-social behaviour in the city after dozens of houses were pelted with eggs by teenage tearaways over the last two months.

But officers believe that the teen heart throb is to blame for the surge in incidents, which occurred soon after police raided his luxury LA mansions following reports he had thrown eggs at neighbours Suzie and Jeffrey Schwartz's house.

The 20-year-old star is still facing felony charges of vandalism for the incident, which occurred on January 15.

Now reports of houses being egged have rocketed across the Trent Vale, Penkhull, Hartshill and Joiners Square areas of the city.

Police officers have visited schools across the city to warn youngsters not to copy Bieber's behaviour or they could face vandalism charges.

“Why somebody would want to copy that little brat is beyond me”

Barry Blakemore

PC Barry Joyson, from Staffs Police, said: "Some of the children have told us this craze has been going around the schools and it was linked to Justin Bieber.

"We had lots of reported incidents of people finding eggs had been thrown at their houses.

"It was totally random, no-one was being targeted.

"Quite a lot of residents were getting annoyed because this was happening on a few occasions.

"The same sort of houses were being targeted - houses on alleyways or on corners - because they are easier to run away from."

Barry Blakemore, 55, had his house pelted with eggs.

He said: "Why somebody would want to copy that little brat is beyond me. How much on an idiot do you have to be?

"I understand people look up to pop stars but to emulate them by committing mindless acts of vandalism is just absurd."

Police have already caught eight young vandals throwing eggs.

The youths, aged between 10 and 16, were spoken to by officers and made to sign Acceptable Behaviour Contacts, meaning they face further punishment if they get into trouble again.

Justin Bieber isn't exactly well-known for his good behaviour and the egg-throwing incident wasn't the first time he has annoyed his neighbours – he allegedly spat at a fellow resident of his gated community after complaints about his driving, although prosecutors ruled there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.

The pop star's catalogue of brattish behaviour seems to be growing at an alarming pace: he has already been arrested for driving under the influence, accused of spray-painting a hotel wall and managed to get his pet monkey confiscated at an airport.

Earlier this week he also made jaws drop over his bratty deposition video, in which he acted like a spoilt child as he was questioned over allegations that his bodyguard punched a photographer.